Rag art involves using the skill of traditional rag rugging, but on a small scale. Finished rag art can be framed, wrapped around pots to make colourful pencil holders or rolled up and made into ornaments for decoration, like this little caterpillar below!
Rag rugs were originally used as cheap floor covering, made by cutting up waste material (e.g. old clothes) into strips and then “prodding” them through an old sack as backing.
The Craft Kit teaches you this traditional skill and how to make attractive pieces of rag art on a small scale. Nowadays, we are keen to recycle and what better way than to re-use some material that is no longer needed? It is possible to combine fabrics and plastics. It is a fun way of making something really useful and interesting!
Rag art can be relaxing. It soon becomes easy with practice to experiment with different designs and textures and to express yourself creatively.
If the strips of material are densely prodded into the hessian, it gives a lovely soft feeling.
Prodders used to be made from Dolly Pegs by removing one side and then sanding it down so there were no sharp edges.
The Craft Kit contains a simple wooden prodder and some strips of fabric so you can begin straight away. Some examples of what can be made are shown below:
Something soft in pink and white cottons
A more traditional look made from coarser materials
Modern fun colours – a “liquorice allsorts” selection!
Decorated pot for holding pencils
Decorations for a Christmas tree
Use festive colours for Christmas decorations, with added pine cones for a special effect
“These craft bags are delightful and you cannot help but want to touch the beautiful and natural materials. It is the perfect activity for the family or a group of children to do together. The drawings and instructions are completed with care. As an O.T. I am always looking for creative, calming, sensory activities and the Hulton Craft bags tick all the boxes”.
Anele Griessel – Occupational Therapist,The LightHouse Clinic
